Three-Cup Squid (三杯小卷)

I love squid but I hate cooking squid. There is just too much work when it comes to squid—peeling off the membrane, removing the ink, and so forth. I had so many “accidents” when the squid ink squirted all over my clothes and face, and it really wasn’t pleasant, and I would smell like a squid no matter how hard I cleaned off the stain. So, as much as I love squid, I hardly make it at home, unless I really have a serious craving for it.

After the confinement, I have been on a binge of eating seafood, so I bought some squid, took the time to clean them (no accident this time!) and made three-cup squid, or 三杯小卷, a popular Taiwanese recipe that I love. (Check out my three-cup chicken recipe.)

The three-cup squid was fabulous, and I think I really should be making more squid dishes at home. ;)

Tips:
Half fill a basin or the kitchen sink with water and clean squid immersed in it. Wash cleaned squid in clean water and set aside and repeat until all squid are clean and washed. No more ink squirts on you. This method also works for peeling onions and shallots. Cry no more.

Try this easy fried squid recipe: Coat pieces of squid with egg white, coat with corn flour or “Kentucky” flour and add squid in to deep fry them in hot oil. CAUTION: COVER WITH LID IMMEDIATELY AFTER ADDING SQUID IN HOT OIL. You will hear explosions going on. If you are frying without a lid be prepared to have a splattered and very oily kitchen floor and walls and pieces of squid on the floor too.

I love eating squid too but it’s so tricky to overcook and they become chewy like elastic band! I like them either crunchy or soft but not chewy. Many Asian restos I’ve eaten at do not make this well in Miami, always disappointed but I keep hoping for a good one. I heard you either cook very little or for a long time. Is that true?

I love 3-cup chicken, was so excited to see 3-cup squid! I had a bag of squid tubes in my freezer that begged, “Cook me!” This is a simple recipe but so tasty and flavorful! It was easy to cook and looked attractive too. A winner!